Maria E. Arcila, MD

Acting DIrector, Diagnostic Molecular Pathology Laboratory

Maria E. Arcila

I am an anatomic and clinical pathologist who specializes in molecular genetic pathology and hematology.

As a molecular genetic pathologist, my work primarily involves the study and detection of genetic changes in cancer tissue. These changes can be used to diagnose and confirm the presence of individual cancer types and help tailor patient-specific treatment, determine patients' prognosis and risk of recurrence, and monitor their disease once they start therapy. As a hematopathologist, I work closely with our clinical colleagues to diagnose diseases that affect the blood and the lymphoid systems. I directly examine tissue and blood samples to diagnose, stage, and monitor hematologic cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other diseases at both the morphologic and the molecular levels.

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My research is focused on the molecular changes that fuel the development of lung carcinoma and the search for possible therapeutic and prognostic markers in patients with this disease. Because of this interest, I have become directly involved with the expansion, validation, and implementation of clinical tests at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to detect mutations relevant to the management and treatment of patients with lung carcinoma.

In addition to my clinical interests, I am a medical illustrator.

Phone

212-639-7879

Clinical Expertise

Molecular Genetic Pathology; Hematopathology; Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

Languages Spoken

English

Education

M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Residencies

Tripler Army Medical Center; Madigan Army Medical Center

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

Molecular Genetic Pathology; Hematology; Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

See My Colleagues in:

Publications by Maria E. Arcila

Visit PubMed for full listing of Maria E. Arcila journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

anatomic (A-nuh-TAH-mik)

Having to do with anatomy (the study of the structure of a plant or animal).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

carcinoma (KAR-sih-NOH-muh)

Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh)

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lung (lung)

One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymphoid (LIM-foyd)

Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also refers to tissue in which lymphocytes develop.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymphoma (lim-FOH-muh)

Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One kind is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

M

In chemistry, M is the amount of a substance that has 6.023 x 10(23) atoms or molecules of that substance. Also called mole (chemical).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

monitor (MAH-nih-ter)

In medicine, to regularly watch and check a person or condition to see if there is any change. Also refers to a device that records and/or displays patient data, such as for an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

myeloma (MY-eh-LOH-muh)

Cancer that arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prognosis (prog-NO-sis)

The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

recurrence (ree-KER-ents)

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stage (stayj)

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapeutic (THAYR-uh-PYOO-tik)

Having to do with treating disease and helping healing take place.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tissue (TIH-shoo)

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)